HTTP code injection involves sending malicious computer code to a web application or server through HTTP requests, with the intention of executing that code on the server. The injected code can manipulate or extract data from the server, or take control of the server to carry out other malicious activities.
An attacker can inject code into an HTTP request in different ways. Some common methods include:
1. Input fields – The attacker provides malicious code as input to fields such as search, username, password, or other forms on the website.
1. Cookies – Cookies sent to the website can also be manipulated to include malicious code.
1. URLs – The attacker can inject code into the URL parameters, which upon processing by the server, could execute the malicious code.
Once the server receives the infected HTTP request, it can execute the code as part of the normal process of interpreting requests, leading to server-side injection vulnerabilities.
The impact of HTTP code injection can be severe as the injected code can lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to data, or even server crashes. Web developers and security personnel can prevent HTTP code injection by implementing strict input validation, using web application firewalls, and constantly monitoring network traffic for anomalous behavior.
